Puntland Security Force

rdf:langString Puntland Security Force

rdf:langString Puntland Security Force PSF

rdf:langString Counter Terrorism measures in Somalia

rdf:langString *

rdf:langString Director General Mohamud Osman

rdf:langString General Asad Osman Abdullahi 2010 - December 2018 General Osman Abdullahi Mohamud 2004 - 2010 General Mohamed Aden Bidar 2003 - 2004

rdf:langString Puntland Security Force PSF

rdf:langString The Puntland Security Force (PSF) is based in the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern Somalia. Among PSF’s main functions are conducting crime scene analysis, capturing and eliminating high-level targets, and reconnaissance. PSF was formed solely to combat terrorism in the region and is independent from the Somali Federal government and the Puntland government. In 2002, amid concerns that al Qaeda elements were operating in East Africa, PIS (current day PSF & PIA) was established as a cooperation between the CIA and Puntland leadership. In 2003, Mohamed Aden Bidar was appointed as the first PIS Director. Bidar then resigned and moved to Mogadishu where he became the first Commander of the Somali National Security Services (NSS) In 2004, Osman Abdullahi Mohamoud was appointed as the Puntland Intelligence Security (PIS) Director. In 2009, President Faroole elected Colonel Ali Bindhe as a PIS Director without the consultation of U.S officials in Somalia. The officials rejected the appointment due to Bindhe’s lack of security experience. President Faroole & US officials agreed to divide the PIS into two divisions - PSF as counter-terrorism special forces & Puntland Intelligence Agency as Intelligence Agency (PIA). Two agencies were formed - the PIA, which was led by Director, Mohamed Jama (MJ), and PSF, which was led by Director General, Osman Abdullahi Mohamud. After the passing of Director General Osman Abdullahi Mohamud, Asad Osman Abdullahi was appointed the new PSF Director in 2010. In 2018 December, Asad Osman Abdullahi resigned as the PSF General Director. After consultation with U.S officials, Mohamud Osman Abdullahi was appointed as General Director. As of December 2021, the PSF has approximately 600 armed and trained members.